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Blockchain technology, which maintains secure, decentralized records of transactions, could theoretically yield benefits if applied to voting. However, as discussed in this blog, blockchain technology is not a panacea to ensuring that elections are accurate and secure.
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After a decade-long evolution, blockchain technology has gradually become the cornerstone of cybersecurity efforts. Accordingly, there has been a surge of interest across numerous industries to implement blockchain technology in their business platforms, many of which have sought protection of these developments at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Malta’s legislation to provide a comprehensive framework for blockchain, cryptocurrency and other virtual assets, noted in our blog on May 7, was passed by the Maltese Parliament on June 26. It is already creating ripples of speculation about the future of the ‘Decentralized Autonomous Organization’ (DAO), a new form of organization with little or no human governance that is built on smart contracts and resides on a blockchain.
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On June 26, Holland & Knight Senior Policy Advisors Scott Mason and Norma Krayem participated on a panel “Blockchain: Do We Need to Regulate to Innovate” in the firm's New York office. Given their knowledge on the subject and extensive engagement with federal legislators and regulators, they provided insight on how Congress and the Trump Administration's policy initiatives are evolving the use of blockchain in key sectors.
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The "Swaps Regulation Version 2.0, an Assessment of the Current Implementation of Reform and Proposals for Next Steps" white paper outlines proposals for the reform of the regulation of swaps, intended to result in a better balance of systemic risk mitigation with robust swaps markets and economic growth.
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Real property conveyances in English law jurisdictions are obscure even to sophisticated parties, who get through the process with the help of an assemblage of lawyers, title examiners, insurers and escrow agents. These latter service providers are described in the blockchain world as "trusted intermediaries", and vigorous efforts are under way to replace them. Their replacements, if innovators have their way, will be blockchain-based systems for direct transactions between seller and buyer, with more speed, lower cost, 24/7 transparency, and reduced susceptibility to fraud or mistake.
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On June 6, 2018, VanEck SolidX Bitcoin Trust filed an amended registration statement designed to address many of the concerns raised by the SEC in its prior considerations of ETFs referencing Bitcoin. All prior considerations by the SEC of ETFs referencing Bitcoin products have resulted in rejection by the SEC or voluntary withdrawal.
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Issuing an initial coin offering (ICO) is a new and innovative way for companies to infuse capital into their enterprise. However, several regulatory agencies have increased their scrutiny of ICOs, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
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The rapid proliferation of technological advancements in global financial markets has caused regulators in several countries to increase their scrutiny of investments in, and implications of, cryptocurrencies.
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Coinbase, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, recently approached the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) about possible licensing as a broker-dealer. If Coinbase decides to register with the SEC, it will become among the first of the existing cryptocurrency exchanges to be registered with the SEC.
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